Question 1 – Religion and Government: As this lesson shows, religion and economics heavily influenced the establishment of several colonies. Religion continues to exert a strong influence over American society today as debates rage over how much or little separation of church and state should be allowed. How much influence should religion have over the government and our laws today? Should the United States base more of its laws and practices on religious based ideas or focus more on secular humanistic ideas? If religious based laws are needed, which religion should be America’s model? If Christianity, which branch Catholicism, Methodism, Baptist, Episcopalian, Mormonism, etc.? Finally, what should be the main influence upon our government and law and why?
Question 2 – Money or Faith?: As this lesson shows, religion and economics helped the colonies to grow. Which of these influences do you think was the strongest in promoting the growth of the United States, religion or economics? Whichever you choose, be sure to justify and explain your answer. In addition, which of these two, if either, do you think influences American society the most today? Again, be sure to explain and justify your answer and if you think there is something else that influences American society the most, please describe it.
